Life is so full of uncertainties. Wouldn’t it be great if there were at least a few things we could count on? Some constants to give us a reliable foundation for the beginning of each new day? Well, Jesus assures us there are. Unfortunately, not all of them are good:

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Haven’t you found that to be true? In my sixty odd years of living, I’ve yet to come across a day that didn’t have MORE than enough trouble in it to keep me well occupied. Even on the best of days, little nagging things will go wrong.

And our response to those troubles is equally consistent. We worry. And we are so terribly good at it. I’m reminded of English class and how we used to conjugate all the various forms of a verb. Well worry is a verb and we’ve leaned to worry in a way that has all the verb forms covered: Past, present and future tenses; singular and plural; first, second and third person; we do them all. And no matter what form our worrying takes, it is so insidiously destructive. Literally billions of dollars are spent every year treating the physical and emotional damage we do to ourselves through our worrying. The list of ailments being attributed to worry, including some forms of cancer and heart disease, grows daily. Despite this growing evidence against worrying and the clear instructions of our Savior to avoid it, we continue to make it one of our constant companions of every day.

In His instructions against worry (Matthew 6:25-34), Jesus tells us to look at the evidence of the Father’s faithfulness in the world around us. Birds that don’t plant or harvest, but are fed. Grass that does not labor or spin but is clothed in splendid beauty. Then Jesus asks us this simple but awesome question, “Are you not much more valuable than they?” Read the rest of this entry »

“We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert to whatever God will do next.” Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 3 & 4 (Message Translation).

It seems like everyone we know has spent their share of time over the past year “hemmed in with troubles.” Many of them spend a lot of time worrying about what they should do next and how things will turn out. Perhaps you’ve done the same. I know we have. But, thank God, there is a better way. Take a look a Paul’s approach in the midst of his own troubled times. Instead of worrying “what can go wrong next” Paul confidently anticipates “whatever God will do next.” He takes his eyes off his troubles and puts them on God. He anticipates God’s response to his situation and when it comes – gets in line with it.

I’m reminded of an example Zig Ziglar uses in his motivational lecture “My Spiritual Journey.” Mr. Ziglar shares, “The Israelites looked at Goliath and thought he was too big to hit. David looked at Goliath and thought he was too big to miss. It’s all a matter of perspective. The Israelites compared themselves to Goliath and believed they had no chance against him. David compared Goliath to God and believed he was way too small to have any chance against God. It’s not problems that are in the way of our progress, it’s our perspective of those problems.”

The Chinese word for crisis is two symbols. One is the symbol for danger. The other is the symbol for opportunity. If you have your eyes on the problems, all you’ll see is the danger. But, if you can focus yourself on the Lord, He’ll open your eyes to the opportunities.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

Oh, My!

Well, we have all had days when it seemed everything went wrong! That seems to be the case for our little friend in the picture. But I have “Good news about trouble.” – At least for the Child of God.

In 1 Peter 4:12-19 we read that trouble is not always such a bad thing. Peter says that we may be “overjoyed” as a result of our “painful trial.” I recently preached a message on this theme. I will give you the basic outline and a few comments. Then, at the end of this post, I will provide the link to download the notes file that I used.

I. Trouble encourages PRAISE to God (vv.15,16)
A. We are NOT to be ashamed
B. We are BLESSED (compare Acts 5:41, “counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name”
II. Trouble judges CHARACTER (v.17)
A. It clarifies what our true character is (hardship reveals our best or our worst)
B. When God counts you worthy –> you suffer –> everyone sees the REAL you
III. Trouble brings GLORY (v.14) – THIS is the EXCITING PART!!
A. “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the SPIRIT OF GLORY and of God rests on you.”
B. What *IS* the “Spirit of Glory”? It is what GOD does for me when I am facing trials
C. Definition of “glory”:
1. OPINION: God’s opinion of ME – that I am ABLE to overcome this trial
2. Splendor, majesty – (characteristic of God) but it NOW RESTS ON ME!
3. Exalted state or condition (my future!)
IV. Trouble develops COMMITMENT (v.19)
A. When we suffer, we must commit ourselves to our faithful Creator – and continue
B. According to the KJV (v.14b), “on your part he is glorified” – we are to glorify God
C. We are to have an opinion, “praise, extol, magnify, celebrate, hold in honor, adore” GOD
D. We are to “cloth with splendor, make renowned, render illustrious, acknowledge and manifest the dignity and worth of” GOD!
For the Child of God who is undergoing trials, here are some thoughts that are the result of an examination of 1 Corinthians 10:13 & Job 1:8-12:

1. Satan is LIMITED to the boundaries set by our God
2. Satan must ASK PERMISSION before afflicting us
3. When God allows Satan to afflict me, He (God) is showing that He has FAITH IN ME
4. Afflictions are an opportunity for me to bring GLORY TO GOD

If you would like download the entire current outline, get it here. ENJOY all your trials!!